As you travel around the roads of Jamaica you will often come across the most unassuming places serving unbelievably good food. Claudette's sitting quietly at the top of Spur Tree hill, just west of Mandeville is one such place.Curry Goat like several other emblematic dishes that define classical Jamaican cuisine is a highly personalized item. Every home has its preferred recipe, curry powder blend, accompaniments and style. It is therefore no mean feat that Claudette's has been voted "The Best Place for Curry Goat; years in a row in the Jamaica Observer People Choice Awards

Claudette's Dining Room

When heading out for Claudette's you may need a guide as the restaurant in true Road food style is set back from the street housed in an unassuming brown double wide trailer. There is no sign to annouce that you have arrived but when you enter the austere but brightly painted dining area you know that you are in the temple of great food. During my visit individual or small groups mostly men sat quietly consuming their curry goat. They ate with the seriousness and respect that is given by those who know they are in the presence of something special - something great which, regardless of the price they are privilege to have the opportunity to consume, although in fact whether you eat in our take out the prices are very reasonable.

Claudette herself while a powerful presence ruling her small kitchen, is not the social butterfly, prefering to let her youthful and attractive staff take care of the customers and the daily chores. Its a healthy sign that every one seems to be having fun although no one makes a move with Ms. Claudette's say so! Like so many good food establishments Claudette's follows Hermann Cain's philosophy of Focus- Focus- Focus. This means that the menu consists of Curry Goat or Manish Water, dumplings, White Rice or Peas and Rice and a little coleslaw. Of course Bigga and other sodas are there to wash it all down but Claudette knows if you want to be the best stay with what you do best.Her kitchen out back of the trailer is small and smoky with a series of low fire pits burning pimento and sweet wood. Its a suitable altar for such good road food - don't miss it when your're on the road to the south coast.

Method:Squeeze the lime juice over the goat; let it sit for a couple of minutes and then rinse with cold water. Drain off excess water. Place the goat in a sealable container and add the onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, thyme, and Scotch bonnet pepper. Wearing rubber gloves, rub the spices into the goat with your hands. Marinate, covered and refrigerated, for 1 to 2 hours.

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil and sugar, stirring until the sugar is brown. Add the goat with marinade, green onions, and curry; stir thoroughly. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer the goat slowly in its own juices, stirring occasionally, until the goat is nearly tender, about 30 minutes. If the meat is tough, pour ¼ cup / 60 mL of water at a time down the sides of the pot, not directly onto the goat (or you will toughen the meat).

Add the potatoes and ¼ cup / 60 mL water; stir thoroughly. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked but not too soft. Crush some of the potatoes to thicken the sauce, if desired. If there is not enough sauce, add ¼ cup / 60 mL water and simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes.

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Author

Bill Moore has lived and worked throughout the Carib-bean for many years as a chef and hospitality profess-ional.As the author of Road Food User Guide he endeavors to capture the vibrancy of the region as he uses it to construct a modern regional cuisine - a contemporary Caribbean cuisine based upon the rich ethnic heritage.